Description: Numair and Daine return to the palace and adjust to pursuing their relationship in Corus. The king asks to speak to his Chief Mage and learns what happened to him in his battle against Inar Hadensra.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Author's Note: One of the things that always interested me was that Daine and Numair had been travelling for almost four books and then suddenly they just stopped and lived at the palace until the Scanran war. I've been building very slowly to this moment in the last two books, but this is what I think prompted that decision.
Chapter 2
Two days later the contingent arrived in Corus to find life had mostly returned to normal. The capital had suffered very little in comparison to the rest of the kingdom, especially as Broad Foot had managed to hold Malady at bay. The people were beginning preparations for the Harvest celebration at the beginning of August which was still a few weeks away.
It had been over four months since Numair had been back at the palace as he entered his rooms, finding them exactly how he'd left them. The mage dropped his pack to the floor and stripped off his boots wanting to sleep for a week. As tired as he was, Numair entered his study running his fingers lovingly over his books. He was far too tired to read now, and what he really desired was a bath and some hot food before collapsing in bed.
The mage requested hot water from a servant and was midway through removing his shirt when his door opened. He pulled it back on quickly as Daine entered and grinned at him. She was still dressed in her travel clothes, and Numair was a little surprised to see her so soon.
"Magelet, what can I do for you?" he asked smiling at his friend.
"I wanted to check on you and see what you were up to," she approached, her eyes sparkling.
"I just requested a bath to be drawn," he replied. "I was intending to take a very long soak before I go in search of food. What about you?"
"A bath sounds good," the young woman agreed coming closer. His heart was pounding as she placed her hands on his chest. "Cloud and Spots are brushed and settled in their stalls. Kitten scampered off somewhere. I thought she'd come here but I'm now thinking she headed straight to the kitchens."
The mage chuckled lightly staring into her beautiful blue-grey eyes with their extravagant lashes. It was almost too easy to forget things had changed between them in the last few weeks, that he wasn't still hopelessly in love and believing she would never return his feelings. Or it would be if her hands weren't slowly sliding up his chest to his neck. Numair placed his arms on her waist and leaned in to capture her lips, lifting the young woman off the floor. Daine wrapped her arms around his neck pressing herself against him as she returned the kiss eagerly. He moaned softly, intensely aware that she was in his rooms, alone with him.
Desire was threatening to overwhelm honour and common-sense when a knock sounded at the door. Numair released the young woman quickly and set her down on her feet, pulling himself together. Letting the servants in to start filling the bath, he turned to face his friend and smiled sheepishly.
"Why don't I come and find you once I've finished bathing? We could get something to eat together."
Daine nodded up at him her cheeks still flushed from kissing. "You're going to be hours, aren't you?" she grinned cheekily.
"Absolutely!" he returned the grin unabashed.
Rolling her eyes, the young woman walked to the door and smiled back at him "I'll see you later, then."
Numair took a very deep breath as she left and ran his hands through his hair dislodging it from the tie. That was too close! The mage was ashamed to admit he hadn't been far off carrying her into his rooms and taking her to bed. That was not what he wanted to happen between them just yet. Numair paced silently berating himself as the servants filled his bath. Once they'd finished, he stripped ruthlessly and sank into the steaming water sighing with pleasure.
After a minute his mind returned to Daine. This was very new territory for the both of them. His rooms had always been available to the Wildmage because he would never take advantage of her or disabuse her trust in him. However, things had now definitively changed between them and having her here, alone, no longer seemed sensible. Not unless he could lay some ground rules for himself and stick to them.
Numair desperately wanted to court Daine properly not get her into his bed. That wasn't entirely true, he did want to bed her, but not until he was certain that she wanted more than an affair with him. The mage sank under the water briefly wanting to drown out thoughts of Daine in his bed. This was not the sort of man he wanted to be around her. Numair surfaced and took a calming breath re-ordering his mind. His rooms had always been mutual territory for himself and his friend. She and Kitten were always welcome to come and go as they pleased, but that had been when they were just friends, or teacher and student. Daine entering his rooms now carried a very different connotation, especially when she was wrapped around him and kissing him so passionately.
Sighing heavily, Numair considered his options, either he forbade Daine from entering his rooms until he could trust himself to behave around her properly or he had to muster a lot of self-control and start acting like the honourable man she believed him to be. The mage didn't really like the idea of refusing entry to his friend which meant mastering some self-restraint. He needed to set aside his desire for the young woman and take things slowly between them. Numair wanted to be absolutely certain of Daine's feelings before this went any further.
He had to accept that she would expect kisses whenever they were in his rooms, but that was as far as things could go. Numair would court her properly and treat her like a lady, giving her all the time she needed to consider if she wanted spend the rest of her life with him. His mind set, the mage got out of the bath and dressed in clean clothes before going to find Daine and Kitten.
The next day, after a very good night's sleep in his own bed, the mage was called to the king's study. Jonathan's desk was piled high with papers and reports as Numair bowed to His Majesty and took a seat.
"Glad to see you back, although I regret to inform you, I may need to send you and Daine out again sooner than I'd like." The king set his quill down.
"Jon, I can't," Numair rubbed his temples. "I need time to rest and recover from this war."
"I know, and I fully intended to give you both a few weeks to recover, but if what Daine says is true and the Immortals are to remain in our realm then –"
"I can't," the mage interrupted more firmly. "Did anyone inform you of the incident with the spidrens?"
"Yes," the king frowned. "You and Daine were attacked by a group of them. From what I heard you dispatched the creatures easily enough."
"I burned half the forest to the ground," Numair ran a shaky hand through his hair.
"What's this about?" Jonathan's piercing blue eyes appraised his friend.
The mage closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. "I no longer believe I am wholly in control of my Gift. The war has taken its toll on me in more ways than one. I've used my magic for so much death and violence over the last several months its almost becoming second nature. I'm afraid of what I'll do if you send me out again."
"I have faith and confidence in you, my friend," the king said gently. "I'm sure after a couple of weeks rest, you'll feel more like your old self again."
Numair sighed heavily. "I know you need me out there, but I never intended my Gift to be used this way. I never wanted to be used as a weapon of war."
Jon sat in silence for a few minutes assessing his Chief Mage. "What happened in your fight against Inar Hadensra? The details this time. It didn't escape anyone's notice you wanted to avoid speaking about it."
Numair closed his eyes again as he decided what he could tell his king. "It was the hardest fight of my life. Inar Hadensra was easily as powerful as I am, but he was a far better war mage. I knew that the only way I could beat him was to drain him of his power in a battle of wills," he took a deep breath to calm himself. "We used some of our worst memories and fears against each other. Hadensra had me relive the tortures I'd endured in Carthak including some more – imaginative torments that I will not discuss." Images of Daine having sex with another man in his bed and those two little girls being carried away by a tauros rose to the forefront of his mind. The mage squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose forcing them back down. "When I finally ascertained that Hadensra was not the pawn, I had been drained entirely of my Gift. I had to draw on the magic in the shield I'd created to keep us trapped and separated from the rest of the battle." Numair swallowed and looked at his king. "I didn't survive the fight."
Jonathan frowned. "I don't understand."
"The last spell I used against Hadensra – killed me – with the backlash. Like Daine, I was brought before the Great Gods, and in their mercy, they brought me back to life."
The king sat there dumbfounded for several minutes before he blinked and stood, heading for a side cabinet. "I need a drink. Want one?"
"With the precarious hold I have on my magic? I don't think you want me to do that unless you are planning on purchasing a new desk."
Jonathan looked at him sharply until he caught the reference of the joke and laughed weakly. He withdrew a bottle of wine and returned to his desk, pouring a healthy amount into his goblet before taking a seat. "How many people know about this?"
"Just you. I haven't figure out how to tell Daine yet." Numair rubbed his temple.
"I think it's best if we limit the number of people who are aware of this," the king said carefully. "I know you'll want to tell Daine, but I'd prefer if you told no one else."
The mage nodded. "I'm not sure I've fully accepted what happened. I certainly don't wish to discuss it with anyone."
Jon looked grave "I've been pushing you and Daine far too hard lately. Perhaps it's time you both had a chance to rest and recuperate." The king took a long drink of his wine before continuing. "What about a teaching post? Harailt is always looking for more teachers. We'll certainly need to recoup our losses from this war and start training new pages."
Numair looked up hopefully. "If you can spare me, I would greatly appreciate that."
"You've certainly earned it. Take a few months for yourself – though, I would ask you to remain here. There are a number of court functions I'd like you to attend. I'll inform Harailt that you'll start teaching in – March?"
The mage could have hugged the man. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Jon waved away the thanks. "Not that I want to put you to work when I'm giving you leave, but I've had the college mages working on new weapons to combat the Immortals. We could certainly use your mind on the projects if you are looking for something to do."
"I'll speak with Harailt about it," Numair smiled. "I'd like some time to write up some of the notebooks I've made over the years. I had planned to write a thesis on wild magic two years ago, but I never got the chance."
"Take all the time you need. We thought we'd lost you after the skinner attack and then again when Daine and Onua brought you back to Legann. To learn that we had…" The king shook his head and had another drink. "I don't want to lose you, my friend. I value your presence here, not just for the defence of the kingdom but for your wise council as well."
"I didn't plan on killing myself," the mage said quietly. "At the time I had very few options left to me."
"How did you defeat him?" Jon's eyes bore into his Chief Mage.
Numair met the king's gaze. "I removed him from existence."
"By the Black God!" The monarch finished the wine in his goblet and poured himself another.
"What upcoming functions do you need me to attend?" the mage asked wanting to change the subject quickly.
"We're having a feast to honour the dead at the end of the week. I've made it mandatory to all the commanders, generals and those who played an important role in the war. After that the kingdom will need something to show that things have returned to normal. We'll be holding a ball at the end of August to celebrate the end of the war. It'll be the usual affair to appease the nobles and the conservatives. You and Daine will be required to attend both of those functions."
"Daine will be delighted she has to attend a court ball," the mage said dryly.
"She'll have to get used it, I'm afraid," the king stated seriously. "Like you, I'll require her presence to demonstrate Tortall's magical strength to our allies and especially to our enemies."
Numair hid a smile imagining his friend's reaction to this news. "And who has to inform our Wildmage of this new role she is to perform?"
"I thought I would leave that to you, of course," the king said innocently.
"I'm honoured," the mage replied sarcastically.
Jon laughed as a knock came at the door and a servant entered bringing more reports. "A ruler's duty never ends. If you'll excuse me, Numair. As you can see, I have a mountain of paperwork to get through, and I should let you get to your rest."
"Your Majesty," the mage stood and bowed slightly.
"And stop that, would you! You know I don't like people constantly bowing to me," Jon complained.
Numair chuckled. "As you command, Your Majesty."
The king rolled his eyes as he picked up a fresh report and began to read it.
The mage returned to his rooms deciding to unpack his things. Most of it went straight into a basket for washing, but there were his crystals and notebooks to put in their proper places. Entering his study, Numair went through his shelves locating his various papers and books he'd made about Daine's wild magic over the years including some of his earlier notes he'd made about the Banjiku from his university days. The mage spent the next several hours organising all his notes preparing to write his thesis which was where Daine found him when she visited that afternoon.
"What's all this?" she asked looking at the pile of papers and books.
Kitten trundled in behind the young woman with a chirp of greeting and went straight to the bookshelves to pull out one of her favourites. The dragonet's books were all shelved on the bottom so that they were easier for her to reach. She sat on the floor and began to turn the pages looking at the pictures. Numair still wasn't convinced she could read the words just yet, but it was a skill he'd been considering teaching her.
"The king has graciously allowed me to retire from fighting and travelling for a while," the mage smiled. "I thought I might finally write my thesis on wild magic."
"This is all about me?" Daine looked up shocked.
"Not all of it. I have a few notes I made when I taught Stefan Groomsman and a couple of books about the Banjiku. I do have a book with observations I made about you, such as the speed of your progress, idiosyncrasies –"
"Idio-what?" she interrupted.
"Unique habits you have, such as the way you tilt your head when you listen to an animal who isn't stood in front of you," he explained
Daine rolled her eyes and mock glared at him as she walked around the desk and nudged him until she could sit on his lap. Numair's eyes melted with warmth as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her more firmly onto him. She sighed contentedly and rested her head on his shoulder as the mage buried his nose in his hair, breathing in the scent of hay and fresh air.
"Do you think the king will let me rest for a while?" she asked after a moment.
"I'm sure he would if you asked," the mage replied softly. "He'll want a way to reward you for saving the kingdom."
Daine scrunched up her nose. "I never did it all by myself! Everyone else helped too."
"But you were the one who stopped the pawn and in so doing put an end to the fighting," he pointed out.
She rested a hand on his chest and began to lightly stroke the material of his silk shirt. "So, this is what you're going to be doing now? At least it'll be easy to find you."
Numair began to worry whether she could accept him wanting a quieter life. What if Daine got bored of him if they no longer travelled together? "I also accepted a teaching post to start instructing the new pages, but that won't start until March."
"But what about my lessons?" There was pain and rejection in her eyes as she looked at him.
"Darling, I haven't had anything to teach you about your magic for almost two years," he stroked her cheek gently. "I'll admit I added several subjects which interested you, but that was mainly for selfish reasons because I enjoy spending time with you."
Daine's eyes softened as Numair leaned in to kiss her softly not wanting to break the peaceful moment they were sharing. "Will you still teach me things? I like learning from you."
"Sweetling, I will happily impart all my knowledge on any subject that interests you," he kissed her forehead and stroked her back. "You could always join me instructing the pages."
"I don't know how to be a teacher," she argued.
"You've been teaching me about animal behaviour for years and you know as much about the Immortals as I do," the mage countered.
"I'm not so sure about that but I'll think about it. It would be nice to stay in one place for a while." The young woman rested her head on his shoulder again.
"You won't miss travelling and seeing new places?" he asked.
Daine shook her head. "I think I'd like to sleep in a soft bed for a while and enjoy wearing clean clothes every day."
Numair chuckled. "I do miss the comforts of home."
"I'm going to have to get used to in silk again, aren't I?" she huffed.
"You don't like it?" he asked in surprise.
The hand on his shirt stilled. "It's just – you look all courtly and noble and too good for the likes of me."
"You're being ridiculous, Daine. I'm common born, the same as you."
"It's difficult to remember that when you're at court in all your finery and jewels." Her fingers began to stroke his shirt again sending small ripples of pleasure through him.
Numair blinked in shock. He quite enjoyed dressing up to impress the ladies of the court. It had never occurred to him that Daine wouldn't be impressed by any of it. "How would you prefer me to dress?"
"It's not up to me to tell you what to wear!" she scowled.
"You are the only woman at court I want to impress," he tilted her chin forcing her to look at him. "If that means losing the silk shirts and jewels it's worth the sacrifice. However, I may protest a little if you want me in rough-spun travelling clothes all the time."
Daine grinned. "I can get used to the silk. It feels nice to touch." The mage grinned in return and kissed her softly. "You're not going to start insisting I wear silly dresses, are you?"
"While I can't deny that I admire you very much in an elegant gown, I like you as you are," he reassured her. "I remember how delighted you were the first time you wore a shirt and breeches – 'men's clothes' I believe you called them. I would never want you to be unhappy on my account."
"I want to impress you too," she whispered.
"You do, sweet. All the time. Whether you're dressed in an elegant gown or covered in mud and muck." Daine giggled and shook her head in disbelief. "That does remind me, the king asked me to inform you that you'll be required to attend court functions in the future."
"What! Why?" the young woman demanded.
"It may have something to do with you being one of the most powerful Wildmages in existence," Numair teased. "Or possibly because you have, on numerous occasions, saved the kingdom and all our lives. You are one of Tortall's strongest assets and the king likes to parade us about to remind our allies and our enemies what they would be dealing with. Their Majesties will need us now more than ever while we're recovering from war. We don't want the kingdom to appear weak and invite another attack on our borders."
Daine scowled. "I'm not some doll to be dressed up in pretty clothes and sat in some corner smiling."
"I believe you will be required to actually speak with the other dignitaries not to sit in a corner," the mage pointed out.
"But I don't know how to talk to nobles and important people! They never usually listen to the likes of me anyway," the young woman complained.
"I imagine they'll start paying a lot more attention to you now. You've gained quite a reputation, my love." Daine looked extremely uncomfortable. "If you like, you can stay close to me for the first few functions. I'm not very good at small talk, but I can cover for you if you get into any difficulties."
"Am I going to have to wear a dress?"
"That will be up to Her Majesty, but I imagine so." He smiled as the Wildmage huffed. "You won't be the only one who doesn't enjoy this form of treatment. Alanna hates these functions too. Perhaps we should place you in a corner together so you can glower and intimidate our enemies. You'd certainly look like a formidable pair – ow!"
Daine elbowed him sharply in the ribs and twisted to glare at him, poking him in the side. He flinched and laughed which only encouraged her further. The young woman grinned wickedly as she straddled his thighs and tickled him mercilessly while he tried to fight her hands.
"Stop, stop!" he grabbed her by the waist, pulling her roughly against him and kissed her hard.
It was a rather effective deterrent until the mage realised his mistake. Daine's hands moved from his sides into his hair as she pressed her body fully against his. Numair's hands were under her shirt caressing her back as his brain shut off. She moaned softly and shifted on his lap rubbing up against him deliciously. His body reacted instantly as he grabbed her hips and held her still.
Numair broke the kiss gasping in shock. "Don't do that, sweetling."
Daine looked at him as her eyes widened in understanding. She wiggled back slightly looking down at him. The mage turned an appalling shade of crimson as he fought to control himself.
"That doesn't usually happen when we kiss," she said cautiously.
It was extremely difficult to calm down when she was paying attention to a part of his body, he would prefer she not take any interest in right now. "It's getting more difficult not to react, especially when you're in this position."
"Do you want me to get off?"
Numair really didn't as he'd been enjoying holding her, but he nodded. Daine climbed off his lap still looking at him as she assimilated this new knowledge.
The mage took her hand and kissed it gently "I'm sorry."
The young woman leaned against the desk frowning in thought. "So, you really want to canoodle with me but you're not going to?"
"I told you; I want to court you properly." He swore he hadn't been this bad when he'd been a hormonal adolescent.
She smiled at him. "You're being noble on my account?"
Numair cleared his throat, "I am attempting to be."
Daine stood and kissed him. "You're sweet. You know that?" she smiled in amusement. "Can I help with – any of this?" she waved a hand indicating the books and papers.
He brightened visibly. "I would love your help."
The young woman pulled over a chair and grabbed a book smiling at him fondly. Numair felt his insides melt as he picked up his own book. Tomorrow he would visit the library and see if there were any books about courtship rituals, at least he did have one idea.
